crashed down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crashed down" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to describe a loud and sudden impact or collapse. Example: The tree crashed down onto the roof of the house during the storm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The gate crashed down.

The New York Times - Magazine

"And then a tree crashed down on a car right in front of us".

The New York Times

A shower of snapped branches crashed down on the Ubernicks' fence: one, two, threefourfive.

The New Yorker

Their heavy roofs immediately crashed down, crushing the inhabitants in their sleep.

The Economist

Huge trees crashed down; small ones were uprooted and flew into the air.

The New Yorker

A massive tree limb sheared off by the storm had crashed down on her husband.

The New York Times

His flights always began hopefully, and ended tragically as he crashed down to earth.

The New Yorker

Apparently, an easel displaying exhibits had crashed down on a juror's arm.

The New York Times

A giant oak tree weakened by a storm crashed down on him, crushing his spinal cord.

The New York Times

They were in an underground parking garage, leaving class for the day when the school crashed down on them.

Yale University

I felt very British, asking for tea as the rain crashed down on quickly erected tarpaulin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crashed down" to describe sudden, forceful descents or collapses, whether physical or metaphorical. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is crashing and where it is landing.

Common error

Avoid using "crashed down" to describe gradual declines or slow deteriorations. This phrase implies a sudden and impactful event, not a steady decrease. Consider alternatives like "declined" or "diminished" for gradual changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crashed down" functions as a compound verb, typically used to describe a sudden and forceful descent or collapse. Ludwig examples illustrate its use with physical objects like trees or structures, and also in metaphorical contexts to describe the failure of abstract entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crashed down" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe a sudden and forceful descent or collapse. As Ludwig AI indicates, it can apply to both physical objects and abstract concepts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts and holds a neutral register. When using "crashed down", ensure that the context aligns with its implication of sudden, impactful descent, and avoid using it for gradual declines. Alternatives such as "plummeted" or "collapsed" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came crashing down

Adds emphasis to the sudden and forceful nature of the event, highlighting the impact.

plummeted

Focuses on a rapid and steep fall, often implying a significant drop in altitude or value.

nosedived

Implies a steep and rapid descent, particularly in the context of aircraft or financial markets.

collapsed

Emphasizes the sudden failure of a structure or system, suggesting a loss of integrity.

sank rapidly

Focuses on a quick descent into a lower level or state, often suggesting failure or decline.

spiraled downward

Conveys a sense of continuous decline, often involving a loss of control or stability.

tumbled down

Suggests a less controlled and more haphazard descent, often involving rolling or spinning.

failed spectacularly

Highlights the dramatic and public nature of a failure, emphasizing the scale of the collapse.

fell heavily

Describes a significant and impactful fall, emphasizing the weight or force involved.

hit rock bottom

Describes a point of ultimate failure or despair, indicating the lowest possible state.

FAQs

How is "crashed down" different from "collapsed"?

"Crashed down" suggests a more forceful and often audible impact, while "collapsed" implies a loss of structure or support without necessarily a loud impact.

What are some situations where I might use "crashed down" metaphorically?

You can use "crashed down" metaphorically to describe the sudden failure of plans, hopes, or expectations. For example, "After the scandal, his reputation crashed down".

Which is a better fit: "fell down" or "crashed down"?

"Fell down" is more general and can describe a simple fall, whereas "crashed down" implies a more violent and destructive fall. The choice depends on the intensity you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "crashed down" when describing a stock market decline?

You could use terms like "plummeted", "nosedived", or "sank rapidly" to describe a sharp and sudden drop in stock prices.